New driver's licenses meeting federal security requirements that can be used to fly domestically are not available at Northern Kentucky circuit court clerk offices yet.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has alerted clerk offices the anticipated rollout dates for Kentucky’s new Real ID previously announced have been pushed back, said Kenton County Circuit Clerk John C. Middleton.

"Just stay tuned," he said.

ou'll be able to use your current driver's license to fly domestically until October 2020, when Kentucky's extension on complying with the Real ID Act expires.

The previously announced release dates for the federally-accepted drivers licenses in Northern Kentucky, among the earliest in Kentucky, March 29 for Campbell and Kenton counties and by April 5 in Boone County.

Some people have come to the office expecting to obtain a Real ID drivers license already, Middleton said.

Kentucky Vehicle Regulation Commissioner Matt Henderson, right, speaks with county clerks during a press conference at Louisville International Airport. The clerks were on hand to see and hear about Kentucky's new drivers license that will be REAL ID compliant and will begin to be available in Kentucky's 120 counties in early 2019.
(Photo: Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)

The new licenses can also be used to access restricted federal facilities such as power plants and military bases.

Boone County Circuit Clerk David S. Martin said his office has been told by Kentucky officials it may be a couple of months until the new licenses will be issued at his office.

The state's rollout of the new licenses will begin in early April in Woodford and Franklin counties, according to a news release from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

A county-by-county rollout extending to the remaining 118 counties will begin two to three weeks later and conclude within a two-month period, the cabinet said.

“We only get to launch once and have adjusted the preliminary pilot dates to stay true to our commitment to deliver a system to the Circuit Court Clerks and the public that will make the transition as smooth as possible,” Matt Henderson, Department of Vehicle Regulation commissioner, said in the release. “Extending the testing phase allows the project team and card vendor needed time to vet and update the new system used to handle front- and back-end operations associated with how we issue and produce the new cards.”

Specific dates for the remaining county-by-county rollout schedule will be announced in early April, the cabinet said.

The state is piloting the ID system in two counties and will do live monitoring of the process and then apply best practices and lessons learned from the experience when the system rolls out statewide.

The delayed rollout will not impact benefits Kentuckians can access using their current driver’s license, thanks to a federal extension from the Department of Homeland Security that allows airport security checkpoints and military bases to accept existing card versions for U.S. air travel and entry, the Kentucky transportation cabinet said.

Do I need a new ID now?

The answer is no, unless your driver's license or other form of ID is about to expire.

Current Kentucky licenses, permits and IDs are valid until their expiration date, said Matt Henderson, Department of Vehicle Regulation commissioner.

You'll be able to use your current driver's license to fly domestically until October 2020, when Kentucky's extension on complying with the Real ID Act expires.

After October 2020, you'll need the voluntary travel ID or a passport to fly domestically.

If you want a voluntary travel ID now and your renewal window isn't before October 2020, you can go to your local circuit court office and pay $15 to upgrade your credential to a voluntary travel ID, which will expire when your normal driver's license was supposed to expire.

What do I need to get a new ID?

Applicants requesting a voluntary travel ID or those applying for a license, permit or personal ID for the first time must present documentation verifying identity, social security number and residency.

You can find out which documents you specifically need by going to drive.ky.gov.

First-time applicants: If you're requesting a new standard driver’s license, you must present one proof of identity (i.e., a birth certificate, passport or permanent resident card), proof of social security (i.e., social security card) and one proof of residency (i.e., a utility bill or lease). A birth certificate must always serve as the proof of identity for applicants under 18.

To renew a standard license or personal ID: Applicants only need to surrender
their current credential. Personal identification cards require the same verification
documents as a license. Non-U.S. citizens may apply for any standard credential.

To get a voluntary travel ID: A voluntary travel ID has the same requirements as first-time applicants, except applicants must provide two documents showing proof of residency instead of one.

Where do I go to get a new ID?

Go to your local Circuit Court Clerk’s office to apply for a new standard credential (driver’s license, permit, personal ID) or voluntary travel ID. The ID will then be mailed within five to 10 business days.

After I get the new ID, how long is it valid?

Previously, Kentucky driver had to renew their license every four years, unless they moved addresses. All the new IDs — licenses, permits, ID cards and travel IDs — are valid for eight years.

How much will new IDs cost?

Here are the new licenses and their corresponding prices:

New standard driver’s license, $43

New standard personal ID card, $23

New standard motorcycle license, $43

Voluntary Travel ID driver’s license, $48

Voluntary Travel ID personal ID, $28

Voluntary Travel ID motorcycle license, $48

What are the similarities between a new credentialed ID and a voluntary travel ID?

Both standard credentials and Voluntary Travel IDs are acceptable to:

Enter federal facilities like museums and post offices

Apply for or receive federal benefits

Access health or life-preserving services

Constitutionally protected activities

Participate in law enforcement proceedings or investigations

Operate a vehicle

Vote or register to vote

What is Real ID?

The 2005 REAL ID Act requires changes to state standards, procedures, and requirements for the issuance of driver's licenses and identification cards accepted by select federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration. It was issued as a security measure Post-9/11.

In October 2020, Kentucky’s standard licenses will no longer be accepted to board U.S. flights or enter restricted federal facilities, like military bases, nuclear power plants or the White House.